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Hop stopper modification
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Creepy




Joined: 04 Feb 2014
Posts: 127
Location: North Chicago Burbs


PostLink    Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2017 10:09 pm    Post subject: Hop stopper modification Reply with quote


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I'm about to pull the trigger and order the hop stopper. I realize this has been a polarizing product, but I figure it's well worth a shot considering the cost of the system once it's all said and done...

My question is this, has anyone modified their hop stopper so it doesn't protrude quite so far into their kettle? I have a Blichmann and want to retain the quick plug and play functionality but noticed there seems to be a couple inches of stainless tubing between the connection point and the stainless mesh clamp. (Based on the pic here http://www.theelectricbrewery.com/images/IMG_1305_only_hop_stopper320.jpg ) Can the tube length be shortened? I would like to place my heating element as low as possible and the more out of the way this is, the better.

Thanks for the insight.

Creepy
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kal
Forum Administrator



Joined: 12 Dec 2010
Posts: 11116
Location: Ottawa, Canada

Drinking: Pub Ale, Electric Creamsicle, Mild, Pliny the Younger, Belgian Dark Strong, Weizen, Russian Imperial Stout, Black Butte Porter


PostLink    Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2017 10:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi!

Yup. You can do that. I cut my dip tube right almost after I got it. Probably right after I took the picture you linked to above.

A picture of my Hop Stopper a couple of weeks ago after draining the boil kettle (I think it was Scottish Ale - not much hops debris):

https://www.instagram.com/p/BPlvz8fgD8C/?taken-by=theelectricbrewery

To order, see: http://www.theelectricbrewery.com/hop-stopper

Thanks for supporting our site!

Kal

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Creepy




Joined: 04 Feb 2014
Posts: 127
Location: North Chicago Burbs


PostLink    Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2017 10:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for the quick reply Kal. I thought I had seen that you'd cut it but was having trouble finding the source. Thanks.

I know the original Blichmann dip tubes are grooved about 3/4" from the end. Is this required in the mod? Or just a simple cut?

Thanks again.
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kal
Forum Administrator



Joined: 12 Dec 2010
Posts: 11116
Location: Ottawa, Canada

Drinking: Pub Ale, Electric Creamsicle, Mild, Pliny the Younger, Belgian Dark Strong, Weizen, Russian Imperial Stout, Black Butte Porter


PostLink    Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2017 12:28 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

The groove is not needed. I've had no issues in the 8 years I've been using it this way. (Has it been that long?)

Kal

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Creepy




Joined: 04 Feb 2014
Posts: 127
Location: North Chicago Burbs


PostLink    Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2017 12:36 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Excellent! Thanks a ton. Seems like a simple fix.

Another mod I was considering was shortening the end vertical portion of the dip tube then bending the long horizontal part so it still goes all the way to the bottom. Not sure if this could/would affect the performance of it. Again keeping the hop stopper as low profile as possible is my goal. Any thoughts on that one?

On a completely separate note, the damage has officially been done. I punched a hole in a beautiful Blichmann and have water tested the seal for the element on the HLT. All's good so far.
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kal
Forum Administrator



Joined: 12 Dec 2010
Posts: 11116
Location: Ottawa, Canada

Drinking: Pub Ale, Electric Creamsicle, Mild, Pliny the Younger, Belgian Dark Strong, Weizen, Russian Imperial Stout, Black Butte Porter


PostLink    Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2017 1:19 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Not sure about that one. You could try contacting the manufacturer.

Kal

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We ship worldwide and support our products and customers for life.
Purchasing through our affiliate links helps support our site at no extra cost to you. We thank you!
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Tennessee




Joined: 04 Apr 2015
Posts: 116
Location: Tennessee


PostLink    Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2017 1:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Another option is having one custom built!





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Kal Clone (30amp),Mash Re-Circulation Manifold, Custom BK Hop Filter.


Last edited by Tennessee on Mon Mar 13, 2017 12:24 am; edited 2 times in total
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Creepy




Joined: 04 Feb 2014
Posts: 127
Location: North Chicago Burbs


PostLink    Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2017 1:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Tennessee wrote:
Another option is having one custom built!


Very nice. Did you do that yourself? How's it been working?
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Tennessee




Joined: 04 Apr 2015
Posts: 116
Location: Tennessee


PostLink    Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2017 10:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Creepy wrote:
Tennessee wrote:
Another option is having one custom built!


Very nice. Did you do that yourself? How's it been working?


I designed it and had 'Utah Biodiesel Supply" build it for me. It's probably the last hop filter I'll ever need to buy!
Has worked flawlessly since day one and I can empty my kettle at WOT until drained, without having to worry about losing prime or sucking air. It was designed to cover as much surface at the bottom of my 20 gallon kettle and still be easy to remove from under the heating element. I added the legs to ensure I was getting full use from the bottom screen surface. I posted one picture under "Belgian Pizza". Here's a couple more Smile




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Kal Clone (30amp),Mash Re-Circulation Manifold, Custom BK Hop Filter.


Last edited by Tennessee on Mon Mar 13, 2017 12:26 am; edited 2 times in total
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701pilot




Joined: 10 May 2016
Posts: 50
Location: northern california

Drinking: Bohemian Pilsner,Caribou Slobber, Munich Helles, Weissbier, Black Bute Porter, RIS, Irish Red Ale

Working on: Milk Chocolate Stout


PostLink    Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2017 12:54 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

What mesh is the screen?
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Mark

I can't change the laws of physics but with enough horse power I can chase it into submission.
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Tennessee




Joined: 04 Apr 2015
Posts: 116
Location: Tennessee


PostLink    Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2017 2:37 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

701pilot wrote:
What mesh is the screen?


400/304

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Kal Clone (30amp),Mash Re-Circulation Manifold, Custom BK Hop Filter.
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Creepy




Joined: 04 Feb 2014
Posts: 127
Location: North Chicago Burbs


PostLink    Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2017 2:34 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Tennessee I love that design idea. Looks really solid. However I had already clicked purchase on my hop stopper. I did the mod this weekend and the way it sits in my 30 gal Blichmann shouldn't impeed the placement of the element whatsoever. If I have issues down the road with using this one I may reach out to you for some more details/contacts.


IMG_3810.JPG
 Description:
The Kal designed element enclosure can now be mounted as close to the bottom as needed with no interference in this 30 gal Blichmann.
 Filesize:  90.75 KB
 Viewed:  30063 Time(s)

IMG_3810.JPG



IMG_3809.JPG
 Description:
Cut off about 2.5" of dip tube and put a slight groove in place for the o-ring.
 Filesize:  58.77 KB
 Viewed:  30063 Time(s)

IMG_3809.JPG




Last edited by Creepy on Wed Feb 08, 2017 3:57 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Firebrewmedic43




Joined: 23 Dec 2014
Posts: 104
Location: Tennessee

Drinking: barrel-aged Foreign Export Stout

Working on: Helles


PostLink    Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2017 5:19 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

what did they charge for the fabrication if you don't mind me asking
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dp Brewing Company




Joined: 08 Jul 2013
Posts: 664
Location: Midwest

Drinking: Chocolate Taco, Raspberry Mango Cider, American X, Sandy Dunes

Working on: Nothing


PostLink    Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2017 1:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Tennessee wrote:




That's pretty cool design. Thanks for sharing!
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Tennessee




Joined: 04 Apr 2015
Posts: 116
Location: Tennessee


PostLink    Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2017 7:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Tennessee wrote:
701pilot wrote:
What mesh is the screen?


400/304


I stand corrected! 300m 304ss

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Kal Clone (30amp),Mash Re-Circulation Manifold, Custom BK Hop Filter.
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jonymac




Joined: 18 Dec 2014
Posts: 145



PostLink    Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2017 4:06 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Tennessee wrote:
Creepy wrote:
Tennessee wrote:
Another option is having one custom built!


Very nice. Did you do that yourself? How's it been working?


I designed it and had 'Utah Biodiesel Supply" build it for me. It's probably the last hop filter I'll ever need to buy!
Has worked flawlessly since day one and I can empty my kettle at WOT until drained, without having to worry about losing prime or sucking air. It was designed to cover as much surface at the bottom of my 20 gallon kettle and still be easy to remove from under the heating element. I added the legs to ensure I was getting full use from the bottom screen surface. I posted one picture under "Belgian Pizza". Here's a couple more Smile





Just an FYI if anyone tries to build or have one of these bad boyz made, I had a support bar added to the top ring.



Tennessee - I love that design. I think the only area for improvement in the Electric Brewery is the hopstopper - i always leave more beer in the BK than I want. Do you find that you can run your kettle dry each time whether it is a hoppy or not so hoppy beer? Do you have the specs so Utah Biodiesel can replicate the exact on eyou had built? Thanks!

JonyMac

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Tennessee




Joined: 04 Apr 2015
Posts: 116
Location: Tennessee


PostLink    Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2017 12:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

[quote="jonymac"][quote="Tennessee"]
Creepy wrote:
Tennessee wrote:
Another option is having one custom built!

Tennessee - I love that design. I think the only area for improvement in the Electric Brewery is the hopstopper - i always leave more beer in the BK than I want. Do you find that you can run your kettle dry each time whether it is a hoppy or not so hoppy beer? Do you have the specs so Utah Biodiesel can replicate the exact on eyou had built? Thanks!

JonyMac


PM Sent

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Kal Clone (30amp),Mash Re-Circulation Manifold, Custom BK Hop Filter.
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Mike Ellenbecker




Joined: 04 Sep 2013
Posts: 16
Location: Racine, WI


PostLink    Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2017 1:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Tennessee - I also love your design. Can you send me the specs so I can have Utah Biodiesel replicate the one you have built? Thanks.
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Mike Ellenbecker
IronWolf Brewing
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Tennessee




Joined: 04 Apr 2015
Posts: 116
Location: Tennessee


PostLink    Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2017 9:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Mike Ellenbecker wrote:
Tennessee - I also love your design. Can you send me the specs so I can have Utah Biodiesel replicate the one you have built? Thanks.


Pm Sent!

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Kal Clone (30amp),Mash Re-Circulation Manifold, Custom BK Hop Filter.
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Ben58




Joined: 14 Aug 2011
Posts: 409
Location: Hamilton, Ontario


PostLink    Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2017 10:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'd like to know more about this design. More or less what I had considered a couple of years ago. Great minds think alike. Mug
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